H&M Autumn Winter 2013

I went to the H&M Press Day this week to view the AW13 Collection, and what a beaut it was! 

Modern drama with a tomboy spirit is at the heart of this collection. First presented on the catwalk of Paris Fashion Week, it is set to debut in around 200 stores worldwide  and online from September 5th. 

The collection mixes tailoring with glamour to create contrasts. Military tailcoats create a dramatic silhouette while a variety of delicate sequin dresses add faded grandeur. 

Extra shine comes from the sequins and fringing giving the collection a Great Gatsby feel. 

Bohemia comes from a heavily embroidered velvet jacket, while chunky knitwear brings winter comfort. 

Accessories complete the contrasting mood with stacking-rings for every finger and stud earrings for a punk feel. Biker boots or flat shoes add a fresh twist along with tassel belts, embroidered collars and vintage-inspired bags. 

LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE SEQUIN EMBELLISHED TROUSERS! 

I also really WANT this structured skirt. 

Winter is not complete with out a great faux fur coat

High Street Fashion Week Preview

On Monday I was invited to the High Street Fashion Week Press Preview at London's Penthouse to see the brands that will be taking part in the event this week. 

With beautiful panoramic views of London it was great to get a sneak peek. 

What I wore: 

I am a little obsessed with this Orange lip stick, from Topshop the shade is  called 'Infra Red' and it is almost an exact match to my Nails Inc 'Portobello' varnish. 

Here is a snapshot of some of the brands that caught my eye. 

I thought these Swarovski Crystal bottles from Crystal Elegance make great gifts. 

Saw some really lovely Bespoke Beachwear pieces from J Banks 

I really liked both these dresses from TOWIE star Lydia Brights range for Lipstick Boutique, I especially like the flapper look to the sequin dress below and they felt of a good quality compared to some other reality TV celebs that bring out clothing. 

Available at Lipstick Boutique.

A small selection on show from knitwear designer Zoie Anne who was absolutely lovely.
Looking forward to seeing more from her at the Catwalk shows. 

Some pretty Bikinis and swimwear from The Holiday Boutique 

However my favourite has to be the collection from Fazane Malik, making no more than 50 of each item, the concept behind the label is to produce classic capsule collections that will fit easily in to any working woman's wardrobe. 

Using natural fabrics such as silk and wool the collection has a real luxury feel to it. 

Currently stocked in 11 boutiques and online e-tailers across the UK, Australia and America, I look forward to seeing more from this brand. 

Available at Fazane Malik

H&M High Summer Collection

I wrote before here how excited I was to hear that Beyoncé was fronting H&M's Summer Campaign and last week I was lucky enough to view the collection at their High Summer Press Day. 

I thought this bling bikini and gold hoop earrings was very Bey. Especially during her 'ghetto look' my favourite Beyonce style era. 

So I REALLY need this feather headdress in my life... Just for the fun of it! 

Absolutely LOVE this gorgeous statement necklace and earrings. I will be purchasing as soon as it hits stores. 

I don't know why, but this multi tone skirt really caught my eye, with bare legs and simple top I think it would make a great work essential for summer. 

 'H&M's summer campaign starring Beyoncé is an epic fantasy, with glamour, drama and also a sense of paradise" explained Donald Schneider, Creative Director of H&M, he continued "The campaign is the essence of Beyoncé, and also the essence of H&M this summer."

Glamour is certainly one word to describe the images of the campaign that were released today. 

Known for her hourglass figure and posing in a range of bikini's that are part of the collection, Beyoncé looks visually stunning and it makes a refreshing change to see a curvy girl front a swimwear campaign. 

It is actually hard to believe that she only had a baby just over a year ago! 

(She can also tell Jay-Z that she doesn't just wear 'Burberry to swim' now as he famously quoted in Bonnie & Clyde 03) 

Spring Lamb Stew

If you follow me on Instagram you'll see I've been posting lots of foodie pics. 

This is quite a divided subject, some people love it while others hate it. I really enjoy sharing my cooking feats and get great ideas from others at the same time, so I thought I would start sharing my recipes too. 

I like heartwarming home made food like stews, but they can be a bit heavy come Summer but this Spring Lamb Stew is really light and full of spring green vegetables.

It is also carb free, unless you're like me and HAVE to have a nice piece of chunky bread to mop up all the juices. If you do want to add some carbs, serve with boiled new potatoes. 

Ingredients 

Lamb Neck cut into pieces

Onion finely chopped

2 Garlic Cloves

Thyme & Rosemary 

Carrots cut into chunks

Peas & Green Beans (these can be fresh of frozen)

Courgette 

Salt & Pepper 

1. Heat some olive oil in a casserole pan, brown the onion, garlic and meat. Add the seasoning and carrots and pour in enough (boiling) water to cover the meat by a couple of centimetres and add a lamb stock cube. 
2. Bring to the simmer, remove any scum that rises to the top, cover the pan and cook for 1 1/2 - 2 hours or until the meat is tender. 
3. Five minutes before serving add the peas, green beans and courgette to the lamb and cook until the vegetables are tender. 
4. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately. 

There are some accounts on Instagram such as @myhealthydish_  that have been inspiring me to eat healthy. I never knew you could have such fun with healthy food, the bright and vivid colours of fruit and veg make it much more visually pleasing than a McDonalds. 

Here are some Stuffed Apples I made that would make the perfect dessert to the Spring Lamb Stew. 

You can follow me on instagram @jemmacross 

Best Celebrity Couples of ALL time

So I won't go into too much detail, but recently I have found myself in a bit of a predicament. 

For the last few years I have been seeing one of my best friends (on and off) but we can never seem to work it out, so I've put myself out there and have started going on a few dates... It's going ok, but I just don't get that 'feeling', and have come to the conclusion that my best friend is in fact my lobster... 

You know... from Friends, when Phoebe explains to Ross that he's Rachel's lobster. 

The one you always seem to go back to no matter what. 

So it got me thinking about Ross and Rachel and then all the other great 'celebrity' couples (I say celebrity in brackets, because there are a few fictional ones in here but great none the less) out there we have seen come and go, but were meant to be together. forever. 

Ross and Rachel

Because: He's her lobster.... and she got off the plane!!!!

Can you believe they made these T-Shirts? I NEED one!

 Rickaaaaayyy and Bianca

Because: Do we need a reason??

Eminem and Kim

Because: If he rap's about you (even if he does say he wants to kill you) he must love you. And when you're so in love you dye your hair the same shade of bleach. 

Frank and Pat Butcher

Because: If he turns up at your front door naked with a spinning bow tie he's a keeper.  

David and Victoria Beckham 

Because: If you can have a wedding that tacky and still look great it's love. 

Beyonce and Jay-Z

Because: Hip-Hop royalty, this couple can seem to do no wrong....  She can even wear a denim split skirt and he still looks at her like she's hot. 

Gatsby Countdown

Since the announcement a few years back that Baz Luhrmann was to re-make the wonderful classic The Great Gatsby, I have been ever so excited eagerly awaiting its release.

I can honestly say that is my all time favourite. First read as part of my A-level English Literature studies, I instantly fell in love with the story, the 1920's and F.Scott Fitzgerald's other work. 

A story of unrequited love, betrayal, obsession, debauchery and desperate destructive decadence, there is a theme for everyone. 

I loved the story so much, it was even the theme for my 21st Birthday. 

Now with just over a month to go until its released, Jay-Z working on the soundtrack with songs from Florence and The Machine, and Beyonce covering Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, Leonardo Dicaprio as Jay Gatsby and Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan this looks set to be a Summer hit. 

Even the catwalks can't escape, with an ever increasing hint of the roaring 20's ever present, after the films release I have a feeling it is a look we are going to see much more of. 

How amazing does this trailer look! 

In the meantime I am going to re-read the book... If you haven't yet then I would highly recommend!